Functionality (and moderation ability) in MetaRuby is unlocked as you progress through Trust Levels.
All new members start at Level 0 and can’t do the following:
- Send private messages to other users
- Reply as new topic in the right gutter (UI removed)
- Flag posts
- Post any images
- Post any attachments
- Post more than 2 hyperlinks in a post
- Have actual links in the ‘about me’ field of their profile (will be silently and temporarily converted to plain text)
- Mention more than 2 users in a post
Level 1 - Basic
Criteria to get to level 1…
- enter at least 5 topics
- read at least 30 posts
- spend a total of 10 minutes reading posts
You can then use all core functions:
- Upload images and attachments
- Edit wiki posts
- Flag posts
- Have all new user (Level 0) restrictions removed
Level 2 - Members
Members keep coming back to the site, and have participated long enough to earn complete citizenship.
Get level 2 by…
- Visiting at least 15 days, not sequentially
- Casting at least 1 like
- Receiving at least 1 like
- Replying to at least 3 different topics
- Entering at least 20 topics
- Reading at least 100 posts
- Spend a total of 60 minutes reading posts
Users at trust level 2 can…
- Use the “Invite others to this topic” button
- Invite outside users to PMs making a group PM
- Daily like limit increased by 1.5 ×
Level 3 - Regular
Regulars are the most active readers and reliable contributors over long periods of time.
Get to trust level 3 by…
This is time and activity based, unlike the previous levels. In the last 100 days…
- Must have visited at least 50% of days
- Must have replied to at least 10 different topics
- Of topics created in the last 100 days, must have viewed 25%
- Of posts created in the last 100 days, must have read 25%
- Must have received 20 likes, and given 30 likes.*
- Must not have received more than 5 spam or offensive flags (with unique posts and unique users for each, confirmed by a moderator)
- Must not have been suspended
*These likes must be across a minimum number of different users (1/5 the number), across a minimum number of different days (1/4 the number). Likes cannot be from PMs.
Unlike other trust levels, you can lose trust level 3 status. If you dip below these requirements, whether from flagging or the passage of time, you will be demoted to Member. However, in order to avoid constant promotion/demotion situations, there is a 2-week grace period immediately after gaining Trust Level 3 during which you will not be demoted.
Users at trust level 3 can…
- Recategorize and rename topics
- Access a private “frequent flier’s lounge” category only visible to users at trust level 3 and higher
- Have all their links followed (we remove automatic nofollow288)
- Spam flags cast on TL0 user posts immediately reach the action threshold
- Daily like limit increased by 2 ×
Level 4 - Leader
Leaders are regulars who have been around forever and seen everything. They set a positive example for the community through their actions and their posts. If you need advice, these are the folks you turn to first.
Get to trust level 4 by…
TOP SECRET! 
Users at trust level 4 can…
- Edit all posts
- Pin/unpin topic
- Close topic
- Archive topic
- Make topic unlisted
- Split and merge topics
- Daily like limit increased by 3 ×
